Chapter Twenty-Five: Apprenticeship (Part Two)

When he arrived home, Zheng Shian was waiting for him.

Grandfather and grandson, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, finished their dinner.

“Grandfather, I want to take a teacher.”

“A teacher? Who do you wish to study under?”

“Master Li. I want to be Master Li’s disciple.”

That evening, Dou Xiaowen’s words had reminded Zheng Yanqing of something. In these times, one’s background mattered greatly. Without a family name, at the very least, one must have a reputable teacher. Given his current situation, seeking a teacher was no easy task. Someone as detached from fame and fortune as Sun Simiao, though fond of Yanqing, still had to consider his origins. There was a hint of regret in his words.

He wished to accept Yanqing as a disciple, but could not reconcile himself with Yanqing’s status.

If even Sun Simiao hesitated, how much more so would others? Someone as proud as Yan Shigu would surely look down on him.

After much deliberation, Zheng Yanqing felt the most suitable choice was the tutor in the academy, Master Li Ji.

Li Ji had no fame, but his talent was undeniable.

If, by means of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he could help Li Ji rise to prominence, it would not be difficult for Li Ji to secure a place in the scholarly world in the future.

And as for himself, he could shelter beneath a great tree, masking many things.

Thus, Zheng Yanqing brought up the matter with Zheng Shian.

After all, taking a teacher was a significant event in life. The dignity of the teacher’s path—a teacher for a day, a father for life! Since ancient times, the Chinese have held the teacher’s path in special esteem; even the highest officials, the emperor himself, must treat their teaching benefactor with respect.

Otherwise, mere words could ruin a reputation.

If Yanqing wished to take a teacher, he had to seek Zheng Shian’s opinion.

Zheng Shian still felt somewhat uneasy about Li Ji.

The reason was Li Ji’s evaluation of Yanqing as “Ding” yesterday, which left him uncomfortable. He felt Li Ji looked down on Yanqing and lacked renown. Yanqing becoming Li Ji’s disciple was not wholly satisfactory.

But now, Zheng Shian no longer saw Yanqing as an ordinary child.

After a moment’s thought, he nodded, “You’re grown now, able to make your own choices. If you think Master Li Ji is best, then take him as your teacher.”

Zheng Yanqing said, “Grandfather, trust me. Given the current circumstances, Master Li Ji is the best choice.”

Indeed, it was uncertain whether Li Ji himself would accept Yanqing’s background…

After dinner, Yanqing tidied up the dishes and went to his study.

Zheng Shian strolled out to seek conversation with the old soldiers at the manor. Though it lacked the grandeur of the old residence in Luoyang, life at the manor had its own charm. At least there were fewer trivial matters; once he had adjusted, Zheng Shian gradually grew accustomed to this life. No music to disturb the ears, no paperwork to tire the body—a different flavor altogether.

He had come to understand: one cannot live in glory forever; one must learn to adapt.

Yanqing spent some time reading essays in the study, then brought out a sand tray to practice his calligraphy. He now understood the importance of fundamentals. His Yan-style script was not yet perfected; the foundation was crucial. As Li Ji had said, he possessed only the form, not the substance. Calligraphy was a stepping stone in this era and must not be neglected.

Outside, the courtyard gate creaked.

Zheng Shian had returned!

Yanqing, feeling tired, stepped out of the study and saw Zheng Shian’s cheeks flushed with what seemed to be the effects of drinking.

“Grandfather, did you drink?”

“Oh, some old fellows from Tianjin Bridge came over. We sat together and had a little wine—it’s nothing.”

Yanqing knew he meant the old soldiers from Tianjin Bridge.

He helped Zheng Shian to sit on the steps outside the bedroom, as the gentle night breeze carried the faint fragrance of locusts—pleasant indeed.

“Grandfather, why did the old soldiers come over?”

Zheng Shian sighed deeply, “Business is hard. The old fellows sought momentary pleasure, but now they have headaches.”

“Oh?”

“The market on Tianjin Street was never great. Fortunately, the Grand Marshal ordered that every year ten thousand coins would be allocated from Anyuan Hall as a subsidy, so the old fellows had no worries. Recently, the eldest master came to Luoyang, and in their excitement, the old fellows said they didn’t want the subsidy anymore... Unexpectedly, today word came from the old residence: starting next month, the monthly stipend will be stopped.

When the wars raged, business at Tianjin Bridge flourished.

But now, with the wars largely ended, business... The old fellows regret their decision and don’t know what to do. So they came to the manor to relax, and I happened upon them for a few drinks... Yanqing, the eldest master handled this poorly; it has chilled everyone’s hearts. The Zheng family stands strong, but the old fellows’ contributions are indispensable.”

This was not a matter Yanqing could easily comment on.

Through his recent interactions with Zheng Renji and his wife, he had come to understand the situation.

Zheng Renji was the typical scion—disliking mundane affairs. The household was managed entirely by Lady Cui. She was shrewd and calculating. If the old soldiers had not refused the stipend, she might not have acted, but their refusal gave her reason. Zheng Renji perhaps cared little, but Lady Cui would take it seriously.

After all, upon arriving in Luoyang, the old soldiers gave them a hard time, even forcing the Tianjin Bridge renovation plan to stop.

She must have harbored resentment, unlikely to let it go.

“Yanqing, in a few days when the academy closes, come with me to Tianjin Bridge.”

“What for?”

Zheng Shian hesitated, then said softly, “The eldest master may not care about the old soldiers, but I cannot ignore them. Many there grew up with me—some are even my elders. We cannot chill their hearts and waste the old master’s years of effort. Let’s go, even just to say hello—it’s better than doing nothing.”

Generally, village academies held classes four days a week, leaving three days off so the children could help at home.

Yanqing considered, then agreed.

Zheng Shian rose and walked to his bedroom, muttering as he went, “Old now, useless, despised by others…”

Watching his slightly stooped figure, Yanqing felt a pang. Zheng Shian’s words were surely about himself…

Zheng Renji, after all, could not compare to Zheng Dashi.

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The next day, Yanqing went to the academy as usual.

Dou Fengjie arrived earlier than usual, before any of the other students. He carried a small parcel into the classroom.

Seeing Yanqing wiping Li Ji’s desk, he hurried over.

“Yanqing, have you had breakfast?”

Ordinary families in this era typically ate two meals a day, at noon and in the evening. Only wealthy households might have three meals, but most could not afford such luxury. Dou Fengjie placed his parcel on the desk and opened it—a handsome black food box. He grinned as he lifted the lid, revealing four steamed buns.

In the Sui and Tang dynasties, these buns were not called mantou, but “steamed cakes.”

This was already fine fare; in Luoyang, there was a shop specializing in steamed cakes, named Binuo Steamed Cakes.

The husband was surnamed Bi, the wife Luo.

Because they sold food, they added the radical for “food” before their surnames to indicate their trade. The business of Binuo Steamed Cakes was thriving, often in short supply; in Luoyang, it was a famous name.

Yanqing, seeing the box, immediately knew it came from the Binuo shop.

Dou Fengjie, with a touch of pride, said, “This is the first batch of Binuo’s sweet cakes—let’s split them between us, shall we?”

His eyes glimmered with expectation.

As a legitimate scion, Dou Fengjie seemed to have many siblings, but in reality, had little contact with them. The servants’ children dared not befriend him, and at the academy, he was bullied. Yanqing’s help yesterday made him feel truly happy.

So many watched in silence, but only Yanqing stepped forward.

For children, this is friendship…

Yanqing washed his hands at the nearby basin. He had eaten a little in the morning, but after the walk, was hungry again.

He took a sweet cake and bit into it heartily.

The sweet cake was kneaded with honey water, carrying a delicate, refreshing fragrance. When they first arrived in Luoyang, Zheng Shian had bought him one. Each sweet cake cost ten copper coins—five times more than a regular steamed cake. It was expensive, but honey and the fine packaging made it a treat not meant for ordinary folk.

As for the wealthy, they cared little for such a sum.

A box of four sweet cakes was cheaper as a set, but still cost thirty copper coins.

Yanqing took one and handed another to Dou Fengjie.

Seeing Yanqing eat with relish, Dou Fengjie beamed, “Is it good? I’ll bring you one every day, all right?”

For Dou Fengjie, money meant little.

Living in Luoyang was like being a caged bird; he craved friendship far more.

But in Luoyang, that was difficult… so he joined the academy, largely for this reason.

And now, Dou Fengjie felt that friendship had finally arrived!

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Now that friendship is here, what do you say—shall we recommend it?